The Awami League has called for a protest march tomorrow, November 10, in memory of Shaheed Noor Hossain, demanding democratic rights. In response, the Chief Advisor’s Press Secretary, Shafiqul Alam, issued a stern warning on Facebook, stating that “the Awami League, in its current form, is a fascist party. There is no way this fascist party will be allowed to hold protests in Bangladesh.” He cautioned that any attempt to hold rallies or processions, allegedly under orders from what he described as “dictatorial leader Sheikh Hasina,” would be met with a complete response from law enforcement. The interim government, he added, will not tolerate any attempts to disrupt public order or incite violence.
Alam made this announcement on his verified Facebook account shortly after noon on Saturday, November 9. In his post, he reiterated that after over 15 years of continuous rule, the Awami League should not have the opportunity to stage protests. “If anyone attempts to gather or rally under Hasina’s directive, law enforcement will fully counter it,” he wrote.
Earlier that morning, the Awami League announced its plans for the protest on its verified Facebook page, urging supporters to gather at Zero Point in Gulistan at 3 p.m. on Sunday. Meanwhile, a leaked recording between a local party leader and Sheikh Hasina has surfaced, reportedly advising members to carry images of Donald Trump during the rally. The phone call, purportedly from Friday, November 8, includes a suggestion to display Trump’s photos as a strategy. According to the audio, if the march is disrupted, this could appear as an attack on Trump’s image, which would then be documented and sent to Trump as a strategic message.
In the alleged recording, Sheikh Hasina advises members to organize a substantial turnout for the rally, complete with images of Noor Hossain and placards bearing slogans like “Down with dictatorship, let democracy be free.” She further commented on the losses endured by party members, including the destruction of homes and shops, and expressed an intent to seek accountability.
In a separate Facebook post, filmmaker Mostofa Sarwar Farooki shared his thoughts on the conversation, highlighting the apparent provocations aimed at destabilizing the interim government. “We must remember the bloodshed is still fresh, and justice for the killers and looters has yet to begin. But incitements are emerging across various fronts,” he wrote, urging caution and calling for a “cooling-off period” after a revolution to allow space for critical thought.
It should be noted that the Awami League, under Sheikh Hasina’s leadership, was removed from power on August 5 amid public protests. The party has been accused of “fascist behavior,” with a significant number of casualties reported during protests in July and August. On August 8, an interim government led by Dr. Yunus assumed power.
